Lubricating device for springs.



T. LINDENBERG iUBRICATING DEVICE FOR SPRINGS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY24. 1915.

Patented Oct. 12, 1915.

THEODCRE LINDENBERG, OF GRANDVIEW HEIGHTS, OHIO.

LUBRICATING DEVICE FOR SPRINGS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 12, 1915.

Application filed May 24, 1915. Serial No. 30.237.

1 '0 all 10/1077), it may concern Be it known that I, Tnnooom: LINDEN- BERG, a citizen of the United States, residing at Grandview Heights, in the county of Franklin and State of Ohio, have invented certaiirnew and useful Improvements in Lubricating Devices for Springs, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to lubricat ing devices for springs and is designed particularly as an attachment for effecting the lubrication of leaf springs used in modern automobile construction. lhese leaves. in order that the springs as a whole may impart the desiredresiliency, must be capable of slight relative movement against each other. However, it often happens that, owing to the water finding its way between the spring leaves, the latter become rusted together until the combined leaves have substantially the action of an integral body which practically destroys the resiliency or spring action. It has also been found that the pressure of the spring leaves against each other has a tendency to force out from between the leaves, oil which may have been supplied thereto.

Therefore, it is an object of my device to provide a constant source of oil supply'for the leaves and at the same time not interfere with the proper action of the spring leaves.

Still a further object of my invention resides in providing a layer of felt or some similar absorbent material designed to lie against the side portions of the spring as a whole, and this felt held in position by covering or protector members formed of a plurality of plates pivotally connected together in such manner that the covering members themselves may assume the movement of the springs themselves when they are being flexed without in any way hindering this flexing action.

A further object of my invention resides in the provision of means whereby my lubricator device may be very readily attached to and held in position on the average springs of motor vehicles now in use.

The preferred embodiment of my inven tion is shown in the accompanying sheet of drawings, in which similar characters of reference designate corresponding parts, and in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of an ordinary leaf spring with my invention applied thereto, Fig. 2 is a fragmentary top plan view showing the manner of lacing means employed for holding my attachment in position, and, Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse sec tion of the structure shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

In these drawings, I have shown one form of semi-elliptic leaf spring. the same being designated by the reference numeral 1 and being composed of a plurality of leaves 2 all held together by a suitable type of clevis structure shown at 3, this clevis structure being designed to cooperate with a supporting axle shown at 4. In order that the contacting surfaces of the various leaves forming-the spring as a whole may be thoroughly lubricated, I provide each side portion of this spring with a layer of felt or other similar absorbent material 5. 'This felt is suitably saturated with a lubricating oil and this oil will in turn work itself between the spring leaves during their normal flexing operation. In order that these layers of felt may be securely held in position and at the same time the flexing efliciency of the spring be not impaired, I have provided a covering member for each of the felt la-yers formed of a plurality of plate sections designated 6, each of these sections being preferably provided with rounded ends as shown and each adjacent plate having its end portions pivoted together by means of the pivot pins shown at 7. Each of'these plates 6 is further provided on its upper and lower edges with an over-hanging lip 8, these lips being preferably shorter in length than the over all length of the plates them selves, for a purpose as will be presently described. Each of these lips is further provided with some type of fastener preferably of the shoe lace fastener type in order to thus conveniently and effectively coliperate with lacing cords such as shown at'10.- It will be noted that these lacing cords are con tinuous and a pull upon the unsecured end will cause a tightening action of the cover ing members throughout their length to thereby hold the felt mats or layers in close engagement with the sides of the spring as a whole. Referenceto Fig. 2, will show that the lips 8 .are considerably reduced in length when compared with the over all length of the side plates. This arrangement is provided in order that open spaces 11 are formed, thus presenting the felt layers or mats to view and in this manner offering a convenient means wherebyvthese felt layers may be re-oiled or maintained in a saturated state.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection With the accompanyingsheet of drawings, it Will be apparent that I have provided a type of lubricating device whereattachment to springs of ordinary construction now in use. It must also be apparent that by means of the open spaces 11, the felt layers or mats may be saturated without removing the protecting coverings from their applied positions.

Vhat I claim, is:

1. In combination with a leaf spring, a layer of felt or the like mounted in cooperative relation with the leaves of said spring, and a protector covering for said felt formed of a plurality of plate sections pivoted together.

2. In combination With a leaf spring, a layer of felt or the like lying against the side portion thereof, a protector covering for said felt formed of a plurality of plate sections pivoted together and arranged to lie on top of said felt, and means for holding ering for each felt formed of a plurality of plate sections pivoted together and arranged to lie on top of the felt layers, and lacing cords for holding the opposing coverings in position on the spring. v

4. In combination with a leaf spring, a layer of felt or the like lying against each of the side portions thereof, a protector covering for each felt formed of a plurality of plate sections pivoted together and arranged to lie on top of the felt layers, ears on said plate sections bent to over-lie the top and bottom portions of the spring, and lacing cords engaging said overlylng lips and secured to hold said opposing coverings in position on the spring.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

THEODORE LINDENBERG. Witnesses C. C. SHEPHERD, WALTER E. L. BOOK. 

